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Bangor RNLI volunteers attend Buckingham Palace garden party

Lifeboats News Release

Bangor RNLI volunteers recently attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Bangor RNLI Helm John Bell at Buckingham Palace garden party

RNLI/Tom Bell

John Bell

This was part of the RNLI 200th anniversary celebrations.

Among the volunteers were John Bell, Johnny Gedge, Gavin Mitchell and Ewan Rathbone-Scott. The crew have also been recognised with a certificate of commendation for their role in a lifesaving rescue on Christmas Day in 2021 and for long service to the charity.

Commenting on the Christmas Day rescue, Bryan Lawther, who was Bangor RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at the time said: ‘This was a difficult rescue, with poor conditions and located close to dangerous rocks. It is a testament to the crew’s professionalism, experience and training that the rescue was successful. While four crew went out on the lifeboat, we had another 15 volunteers who put their Christmas on hold to help with the launch and stayed to help clean down the lifeboat on her return, and we want to thank and recognise them too for their selfless dedication.'

Four more Bangor RNLI volunteers at the garden party are also marking long or dedicated service. These included helms Kyle Marshall for 40 years, Andrew Gedge for 30 years, Launch Authority Kevin Baird for 30 years and Launch Authority Captain Davy Eccles MBE for his services to maritime safety.

Captain Byron Griffiths, Bangor RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The garden party was a fitting event to celebrate the RNLI's 200th anniversary and to thank our volunteers for their dedication, and commitment to saving lives at sea.’

Ends

Kevin Baird, Johnny Gedge, John Bell, Gavin Mitchell, Ewan Rathbone Scott & Andrew Gedge

RNLI/Tom Bell

Bangor RNLI volunteers at Buckingham Palace

RNLI/Tom Bell

Bangor RNLI volunteers and partners

RNLI/Tom Bell

Bangor RNLI volunteers and partners at Buckingham Palace

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.